Compressor valve



Patented Nov. 4, 1941 COMPRESSOR- VALVE Joseph Frank Kowaez, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Application September 21, 1940, Serial No. 357,810 7 Q 3 Claims. (01. 251-128) The present invention relates to compressor intake valve structure and has as general objects to provide an economical construction wherein parts are readily replaceable and to provide a light construction wherein silent operation is afiorded and wear and tear is reduced. To these ends the invention contemplates a valve cage including a block provided with one or more valve seats and provided with a corresponding number of valve guides between which and the block exist one or more intake passages. Valve clatter, according to the invention, is minimized by the provision of dashpot means for damping both opening and closing movements of the valves.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown, by way of example, a practical and at present preferred embodiment of the invention and description of the invention will be made with reference to this drawing, in which- Figure l is a plan view of a piston incorporating my improved cage and valve construction. Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a valve and guide assembly, the valve being in elevation and the guide in axial section.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an axial section of the guide on line 5-5 of Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the guide.

Figure 7 is an elevation of the valve, and

Figure 8 is an axial section of a nut which appears in elevation in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawing, reference numeral l0 designates the upper ring-shaped portion of a compressor piston having threaded therein, or otherwise secured thereto, a cylindrical block II which has, as here shown, five symmetrically arranged axially extending openings as at [2, Figure 2. Each opening includes a lower cylindrical portion terminating upwardly in a coaxial annular fiange l3, which has a lower conical shoulder l4 and an upper conical shoulder l5. The lower ends of the openings are threaded, as here shown. Reference numeral l6 designates generally a valve guide which includes a body portion I! and a plurality (four, as here shown) of axially extending external wings or ribs I8. The top portions of these ribs are recessed as at l9 so that the upper portion of the body I1 is in the form of a generally conical boss 20. The bottom portion of the body has a cylindrical conformation 2I and the lower portion of the ribs are provided with projecting threads 22.

ribs [8 by means of orifices 23' and 24.

The body H is provided witn upper and lower coaxial bores 23 and 24 which are separatedby an annular rib or flange 25 which defines a bore 25' of circular section coaxial with bores 23 and 24. The inner extremities of bores 23 and 24 are connected into the passage between a pair of The guide [6 is receivable in an opening: i2 with the lateral edges of the ribs l8 in close contact with the walls of the opening, the threads 'at the lower end of the latter being engaged by the threads 22. With the guide operative inserted, the upper ends of ribs l8 bear against shoulder I4, being complementarily inclined, and the lower ends of the ribs are substantially flush with the lower'face of block II. The axis of the guide is coincident with the axis of the seat l5. Inlet passages exist between the ribs l8.

Reference numeral 26 designates generally a valve having a head 21 and a stem 28. The head is conically shaped for proper cooperation with seat l5 and on its lower face may be provided with a spring seat 29 and spring centering boss 30 for a spring designed to surround boss 20 of guide It and bear at its other end against the bottoms of recesses l9. Such a spring is not ordinarily required, but may be supplied if it is desired to impart a resilient opening force to the valve. Adjacent boss 30 the stem is provided with a cylindrical enlargement 3| dimensioned for a lclose sliding fit in bore 23. The lower end of the stem is slightly reduced and threaded at 32 for engagement by a nut 33 which includes a cylindrical skirt portion 34 dimensioned for a close sliding fit in bore 24. The stem and nut have cooperating stop shoulders 35 and 36, respectively, and are bored at 31 and 38 for a locking pin.

After the guide l6 has been assembled in the block II, the stem of valve 26 is inserted down- 'wardly through the bore 25', the stem having a guided fit therein. The nut 33 is then applied to the threaded extremity of the stem, its proper application being determined by the shoulders 35 and 36, and locked in place. When thus po-.

sitioned the inner end of the nut is spaced from 0f adequate thickness for strength.

On the down stroke of the piston, valve 26 rises,

and skirt 34, acting as a piston, compresses gas in bore 24 as controlled by orifice 24. At the same time the enlargement 3|, acting as a piston, creates a vacuum effect in bore 23, as controlled by orifice 23'. A damping eiliect is thus afforded for the opening movement of the valve, and it will be understood that closing movement is similarly damped. Opening movement of the valve may be limited by the abutment of the head of the nut with the end ,of body portion 21, or by theabutment of the inner end of skirt 34 with the shoulder at the top of bore 24. Closing movement is, of course, limited by the seating of the valve head 21. i

In practice the double damping eflect has been found to be extremely effective in relieving valve clatter and consequent wear and tear, and the life of the parts is enhanced by reason of the ampl guiding surfaces. The valve seats stand up practically indefinitely and upon wear of the valve and guide these latter may be readily removed and replaced. The replaceability of these parts enables" the block H to be retained, thus effecting important savings.

While I have shown a cage incorporating five valve guides, it' will be understood that the invention may be equally well exemplified in the use of a single guide, or any other number.

It will be understood that the invention is-also susceptible of variation as to details of form and arrangement and consequently is not restricted in these respects, except as in the following claims.

I claim:

1.. Compressor'inlet valve structure comprising a valve guide, coaxial bores in said guide at the ends thereof, an annular flange separating said bores, a valve having a stem guided by said flange, and enlarged cylindrical portions on said stem reciprocable in said bores respectively, one of said cylindrical portions being constituted by a skirt portion of a nut threaded on said stem, the walls of said bores being provided with orifices adjacent said flange, the arrangement being such as to afford a dashpot efiect for damping movements of said valve in both directions.

2. Compressor inlet valve structure comprising a valve guide including a body, coaxial bores in said body at the ends thereof, an annular flange separating said bores, axially extending ribs on the exterior of said body, a valve having a stem guided by said flange, and enlarged cylindrical portions on said stem reciprocable in said bores respectively, the Walls of said bores being provided with orifices adjacent said flange and between said ribs, the arrangement being such as to afford a dashpot efiect for damping movements of said valve in both directions.

3. Compressor inlet valve structure comprising a valve guide, outwardly open coaxial bores in said guide at the ends thereof, an annular flange separating said bores, a valve having a stem guided by said flange, and enlarged cylindrical portions on said stein reciprocable in said bores respectively, the walls of said bores being provided with orifices adjacent said flange, the arrangement being such that the orifices on opposite sides of said flange afiord a dashpot eifect for damping movements of said valve in both directions.

JOSEPH FRANK KOWACZ.- 

